Review: PreSonus Quantum HD 8 Audio Interface

For the longest time, I struggled with latency when recording audio, or the time it takes for recorded sound to register on the screen. I’d plug in my audio interface to my computer, get all my drums all mic’ed up, and have a hard time getting my stuff to sync up with whatever I was trying to record over. The first generation of PreSonus’ Quantum audio interfaces solved my problems about a decade ago. They used speedier-than-USB Thunderbolt connections to give me near-zero delay, thanks in part to the no-bloatware connection it shares with PreSonus’s Studio One software.

PreSonus’s latest Quantum HD interfaces have raised the ease-of-use factor even further. You get USB-C connectivity, an even cleaner design, better screen, and front-panel instrument inputs designed in collaboration with PreSonus parent company Fender. There is even now automatic gain leveling on inputs, which means one person can set up a large studio by themselves.

If you’re after an affordable audio interface that competes with heavy hitters from Universal Audio, Apogee, Focusrite, Audient, or SSL, among others, the new PreSonus Quantum HD models are fantastic and sound great. If you’re a Studio One user, they’re a no-brainer.

Audio Boxers

Both the HD 2 and HD 8 models are not much to look at, designed to hide on the desktop of a serious home studio enthusiast amongst other toys. They’re both black boxes with blue accents and color screens, and they look relatively nondescript when not in use. (That’s nice for expensive studio equipment, which can sometimes scream “Steal me!”) The larger model is rack-mountable, the smaller designed for desktop or mobile use, though you can easily set the larger one on a desk like I did if you don’t have a rack to mount it.

The construction of the unit is solid and metallic, with nice big vents on the sides to keep it cool during longer tracking sessions. I like that it just takes a standard three-prong power cable, so you don’t have to deal with a wall wart, and that it connects quickly to any modern USB-C device.

I have been a longtime PreSonus user of everything from its Faderport controllers (USB devices that allow you to use faders to control playback in most DAW software) and Monitor Station (an outboard box where you can plug in and swap between multiple speakers with simple button presses). The gear works well and costs less than most competitors.

Pro-tier equivalents from brands like Universal Audio and Apogee can cost between a little and many multiples more, depending on the category, and it just doesn’t actually sound better in my experience. The Quantum HD interfaces easily compete with the wildly popular 8-input models from Universal Audio in terms of audio and build quality. The Universal Audio models are the gold standard in the category right now, and cost over twice as much per unit.

Studio One immediately recognizes the Quantum HD 8 and plays nice, allowing you to do things like turn on 48v phantom power for condenser mics and set levels inside the software, rather than having to use some weird intermediary software between the interface and the DAW.

Photograph: Parker Hall